Embarrass
[ɪm'bærəs;em-] or [ɪm'bærəs]
Definition
(verb.) cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious.
Typed by Justine--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To hinder from freedom of thought, speech, or action by something which impedes or confuses mental action; to perplex; to discompose; to disconcert; as, laughter may embarrass an orator.
(v. t.) To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct; as, business is embarrassed; public affairs are embarrassed.
(v. t.) To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to incumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands; -- said of a person or his affairs; as, a man or his business is embarrassed when he can not meet his pecuniary engagements.
(v. t.) Embarrassment.
Checker: Melanie
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Perplex, entangle, beset, make intricate, make difficult.[2]. Harass, distress, trouble, vex, annoy, plague, hamper, clog.[3]. Confuse, disconcert, confound, nonplus, pose, dumfound, dumfounder.
Typed by Jared
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Entangle, misconcert, trouble, perplex, contuse, hamper, clog, distress,puzzle, encumber
ANT:Extricate, liberate, expedite, facilitate, accelerate, assist, disencumber
Typed by Jennifer
Definition
v.t. to encumber: to involve in difficulty esp. in money matters: to perplex.—p.adj. Embarr′assed perplexed: constrained.—n. Embarr′assment perplexity or confusion: difficulties in money matters.—Embarras des richesses a superabundance of materials an abundance so great that choice is difficult.
Inputed by Deborah
Examples
- A new issue does embarrass a wholesale organization of the voters. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- This question will embarrass both of them. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- You--ha--embarrass me very much. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- She had the art of giving self-confidence to the embarrassed, but she was not equally sure of being able to embarrass the self-confident. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- There was little goodwill among the diplomatists for republicanism, and a manifest disposition to embarrass the new government as much as possible. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Having thus materials of every kind lying strewed around him, there was little, you observed, to embarrass the author, but the difficulty of choice. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- He did not want, in any way, to embarrass the cause; thus showing a patriotism that was none too common in the army. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Sir Percival looked seriously embarrassed and distressed, Mr. Fairlie stretched out his lazy legs on his velvet footstool, and said, Dear Marian! Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Even with this relief the governor was still very much embarrassed. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- McPherson was hastening up to join Hovey, but was embarrassed by Hovey's trains occupying the roads. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Gutenberg, much embarrassed, had no answer for him. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- He was obviously embarrassed for an instant, while the Inspector raised his eyebrows, and Alec Cunningham burst into a laugh. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- In troth, replied the Outlaw, for I scorn to lie to your Grace, our larder is chiefly supplied with-- He stopped, and was somewhat embarrassed. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- At this moment Moore would be both shocked and embarrassed if he saw either you or me. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It quite spoiled my pleasure for that night because it was so very embarrassing and so very ridiculous. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mrs. Fisher, moreover, had no embarrassing curiosity. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- I couldn't, it was so embarrassing for me. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- That is the subject _we_ think of, and it gives us, from morning to night, enough to think about, without embarrassing our heads concerning others. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The break he set between his last two sentences was quite embarrassing to his hearer. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- When you go out to look at my island, I will supply you with a less embarrassing dress—more adapted for walking and climbing. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- It's too embarrassing now. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- But the second request embarrasses me seriously. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
Checker: Roland